New Zealnd reduce Pakistan to 407-9 despite Saud’s century

New Zealand have reduced Pakistan to 407-9 at stumps on day three of the second Test in Karachi.

Saud Shakeel was unbeaten on 124 runs, with the help of 17 boundaries. 

Pakistan lost four wickets in the final session and are in danger of conceding a slim lead in the first innings. 

Spinners Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi claimed three and two wickets, respectively, for the visitors.  

Earlier, Shakeel hit a maiden hundred to lift Pakistan to 337-5 at tea Wednesday on the third day.

Shakeel swept spinner Michael Bracewell for a boundary and then took a sharp single to reach three figures in 319 minutes of stoic batting.

The 27-year-old was on 101 at the interval and Agha Salman on four. Sarfaraz Ahmed was stumped on 78 in the penultimate over before the break, having scored his third consecutive half-century of the series.

Shakeel and Sarfarz added 150 for the fifth wicket, carrying the innings after Pakistan lost Imam-ul-Haq for 83 in the first session.

Shakeel has so far struck 14 boundaries, while Sarfaraz — who survived a leg-before decision two balls before his dismissal — had 10 hits to the rope.

Earlier, Haq was snapped-up by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell off fast-bowler Tim Southee after Pakistan resumed on 154-3.

On 74 overnight, Haq rebuilt the innings after being involved in skipper Babar Azam´s run-out on Tuesday, but fell in the second hour of the session.

He edged a drive to Blundell, but was only given out after New Zealand challenged the turned-down appeal.

Haq hit ten boundaries and a six in his 244-minute knock.